A disabled woman with visual impairments who was sent someone else's documents by an NHS Trust had to "use a magnifying glass" to read a letter, she claims.

Carol Aldridge, from Chelmsford, claims she feels discriminated against after the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) sent her a letter which she was unable to read.

The trust mistakenly sent the pensioner someone else's documents and soon sent another letter asking for her to return the documents she had received.

However, with her visual impairment, Carol needs all her letters and documents in large print- but was frustrated when the second letter she received was in small print.

This left her unable to read the letter without using a magnifying glass.

Carol had to use a magnifying glass to read the letter

Carol explains: "I rang them about it because the document they sent me was someone else's car review plan when I requested a document regarding my mental health issues. They have made so many mistakes over so many years.

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"I couldn't read it at all, my eyes were straining to read it and even with a magnifying glass I still struggled.

"I personally felt like there was no compassion and no understanding."

Now, Carol is concerned that the trust may take further action if the documents are not returned to them.

"I know they want it back and I'm not refusing to give it back. They said they can collect it but I don't want anyone here from mental health.

"On the letter, it states 'we reserve the right to take further steps with court orders to protect the individual'.

"Now I'm really scared about what will happen. I'm really worried that I'm going to be brought to court, it's not helping my mental health at all."

A spokesman for Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) said: “The Trust has recently investigated a complaint of this nature. This was an error and systems have been adjusted accordingly.

"We would like to reassure anyone using our services that this was a rare occurrence. We take data protection and patient confidentiality very seriously.”